Defensive backs produced only two interceptions last season so playmakers are needed

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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 14: Free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a defensive stand in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 14, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 17-7.
(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Thomas’ free agency has yet to hint of a deal with the 49ers or anyone else heading into Wednesday’s official start of the signing period.

Former 49ers tight end Delanie Walker (46) runs with the ball against then-Seahawks rookie Earl Thomas (29) in the second quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif, on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Whereas Sherman overcame lower-leg injuries to make a smooth transition to the 49ers last season, Thomas is coming off a broken leg and could step in as the 49ers’ ideal free safety.

“There’s serious interest. There’s obviously a clear and easy fit,” Sherman said two weeks ago at the NFL scouting combine. “But financially it has to make sense.”

Do the 49ers dare sign another veteran recovering from a leg injury, having agreed Monday to a lucrative deal (four years, $54 million) with linebacker Kwon Alexander, who had anterior cruciate ligament surgery last October? Only five months ago, Thomas was to have a stabilizing rod inserted into the left leg he also broke in December 2016.

Thomas, 29, initially sought $30 million over two years, NFL Network reported Monday. He’s been to six Pro Bowls and earned All-Pro honors five times since being drafted 14th overall in 2010 out of Texas. A starter every game from 2010-15, he’s missed 19-of-48 since then.

Thomas has had little impact in 16 games against the 49ers, with his only interception coming in the first quarter of a 2013 Seahawks win at Seattle. He has also totaled three passes defensed, no forced fumbles and no interceptions, while averaging five tackles per game.

In his Seahawks career, he produced 28 interceptions in 125 regular-season games along with 11 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. The Dallas Cowboys figured to be Thomas’ ideal destination unless the 49ers or other teams offer more.

Another 49ers option is re-signing Jimmie Ward, the 49ers’ 2014 first-round draft pick who’s bounced between playing cornerback, nickel back and his preferred spot at free safety. Injuries have dogged Ward’s career but the 49ers brass still covets him and will welcome him back, if the market continues to cooperate.

Jaquiski Tartt, Adrian Colbert, Marcell Harris and D.J. Reed are in-house safeties, so it’s not as if the 49ers are starving for talent there.

At cornerback, meanwhile, no 49ers recorded an interception last season out of opponents’ 542 pass attempts, with the only two interceptions coming from safeties Tartt and Antone Exum Jr.

The 49ers invested third-round draft picks the past two years on cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and Tarvarius Moore; neither has locked up a future with the club. And with Sherman only figuring to play a couple more seasons, the 49ers reasonably could invest in another elite cornerback.

For the first time since 2015, this is the first year no cornerback has drawn a franchise tag, nor did any merit one. The 49ers prefer taller cornerbacks, so perhaps 6-foot-1 Pierre Desir fits that mold.

Whoever new secondary coach Joe Woods gets to work with, that unit must produce more takeaways than a measly two interceptions, and that unit might have more pressure on them thanks to the front line’s new, wide-9 emphasis.

The secondary market

Cornerbacks

Ronald Darby, Philadelphia: Darby (5-11, 183) has a good skill set but has been available for 17 games with 16 starts over the last two seasons because of a dislocated ankle and a knee injury. That’s in contrast to his first two seasons with the Bills, when he started 29 times. Former sprinter has makeup speed teams love.

Pierre Desir, Indianapolis: Desir (6-1, 198) had a breakout season in 2018 just in time for free agency. Had one interception and eight pass breakups, but is regarded as a good tackler who forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one.

Bryce Callahan, Chicago: Callahan started 10 games for the Bears last season, defending six passes with a pair interceptions. Has a feel for blitzing, as evidenced by two sacks and four in his career. Undersized (5-9, 188) when it comes to bigger receivers but could be slot worthy.

Bashaud Breeland, Green Bay: Got a late start last season after cutting his foot in an off-season accident and played seven games with five starts for the Packers. The injury essentially voided a lucrative deal with Carolina. Breeland (5-11, 195) started 54 games in his first four seasons with Washington.

Steven Nelson, Kansas City: The good news is that Nelson (5-11, 194) was a 16-game starter for the Chiefs last season with four interceptions. The bad news is Kansas City was notoriously leaky in the secondary and susceptible to big plays despite having a solid pass rush.

Earl Thomas, Seattle: Pretty much the gold standard as a free safety, Thomas (5-10, 202) is coming off a broken leg last season. His previous three seasons also include a broken tibia and a hamstring pull. A classic center field deep safety when healthy.

HaHa Clinton-Dix, Washington: The former first-round pick looks the part at 6-1, 208 but has yet to reach his full potential in either Green Bay (for five seasons) or in 2018 with Washington. Has played on only 16 of 32 games the last two seasons because of injury.

Jahleel Addai, L.A. Chargers: Six-year veteran started all 32 games for the Chargers the past two seasons but with just one interception and 10 passes defensed. Regarded as a solid tackler in the secondary. Released as free agency approached to free up $5 million in cap space.

Johnathan Cyprien, Tennessee: Has 70 games experience, all as a starter, for Jacksonville and Tennessee from 2013 through 2017. Cyprien (6-1, 211) tore his ACL before last season started and has had plenty of rehab time, but Titans waived him and signed Kenny Vaccaro.

Kurt Coleman, New Orleans: Strong safety played in 16 games with nine starts for the Saints last season. Physical at 5-11, 208 but of his 21 career interceptions, none have come in the last 28 games. Has played with Eagles, Chiefs and Panthers.